Masked Fate (Fated Love #3)

PROLOGUE

Soren

Five Years Ago

Not knowing how long I’ve been in this damp, ice-cold cell, I find I can’t feel my body any longer. I’m in desperate need of a healer, and I don’t know how long I will last before the fates cut the cord once and for all. My once bone-colored tunic is now red with dried blood, dirt, and sweat.

It was stupid trusting a witch.

Ebony turned out to be a princess and a fucking psychopath.

One second, we were flirting, and the next, she used an incantation spell to knock me out and take me to the Witch Queen. She has been torturing me for weeks, wanting information to take down King Tane, to know his weaknesses and ways to get into the warded castle. I don’t know what the Fae King did to her, but she fucking hates him.

And she is taking it out on me, one of his young fae warriors. I also happen to be his son’s best friend, next in line for the throne, Prince Rave.

I always knew my dick was going to get me into trouble, but I was thinking more along the lines of knocking up a female, not getting tortured in a fucking dungeon.

My mind hasn’t broken.

She underestimated me.

I know Rave will be looking for me.

And I’d die before I share any of his secrets.

I might not have given her any information to help assist her evil plan, but my body hasn’t held up so well.

Everything hurts.

My mouth is as dry as sandpaper.

And right as I’m thinking about how thirsty I am, Queen Sharna appears before me, her cruel violet eyes filled with mirth.

“Now, tell me, warrior, who else has King Tane been fucking?” she asks, her nostrils flaring.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

She’s asked me everything, from information about the castle, our wards, our army, and personal information on her now ex-lover, but I never lose my determination.

“Fuck you,” I grit, closing my eyes as the pain comes.

I feel her blade slicing through my skin, and as the warm blood drips all over my chest from my throat, I wonder , is this it?

As I’m about to give up and embrace my fate, voices penetrate my fading consciousness.

A witch’s piercing screams.

Rave’s strong voice follows, “Soren, we’ve got you. You’re safe now. She’s dead. Fuck, just hold on until we get you to a healer.”

“It’s bad, Rave…”

“No! He’s going to make it,” Rave snarls.

A decree of a Shadow Prince.

And then…

… nothing but blackness.